Mehbooba Mufti's claim to form Jammu and Kashmir government was countered by Sajad Lone.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday thanked her rival Omar Abdullah of the National Conference and Congress leader Ambika Soni for help in achieving "the seemingly impossible" - a joint bid for the state government. As a number of developments unfolded at breakneck speed since then - a counter claim by BJP-backed Sajad Lone and the dissolution of the assembly by governor Satya Pal Malik, necessitating fresh elections, Ms Mufti had a message for opponents as well: "Who would have thought that the very idea of a grand coalition would give such jitters?"
Omar Abdullah returned her thanks on Twitter.
"JKNC has been pressing for assembly dissolution for 5 months now. It can't be a coincidence that within minutes of Mehbooba Mufti Sahiba letter staking claim the order to dissolve the assembly suddenly appears," he also wrote.
The two leaders, known for their frequent indictment of each other on social media, then went on to share jokes about the fax machine at the governor's residence, which they said, conveniently did not receive their application in time.
In a sudden announcement, the Jammu and Kashmir Governor dissolved the state assembly tonight, which has been in suspended animation, shortly after rival alliances staked claim to form the government.
Governor's rule was enforced on June 19 for a six-months period after the BJP party yanked support for the Mehbooba Mufti government. The state assembly was also kept in suspended animation so that political parties could explore the possibility of forming a new government.